Ellsworth-McQuarrie Route 5.7
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| Type: | Trad, 6 pitches, 600 feet, Grade III |
| Consensus: | 5.7 [details] |
| FA: | Steve Ellsworth, Mark McQuarrie 1964 |
| Submitted By: | Peter Gram on May 15, 2004 |
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Pic of me leading the 3rd pitch of Ellsworth-McQua...
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Private Property now at the entrance to Bells Canyon. MORE INFO >>>
A well known and marked trailhead has been established starting from Wasatch Blvd. The trail adds some time to the approach, but is fenced off from passing through any private property. Stick to the trail.
This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.
You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.
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Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment
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Description This route follows a really striking line up the Middle Bell Tower, but has really bad rock up high. Easily pick this route out by looking for the obvious continuous dihedral which goes through 2 huge roofs. Good rock quality is found for the first 2 pitches, but it gets much worse after passing the Arm and Hammer exit.
P1) Incredible roof traverse pitch. This pitch is 3-star quality, and has good rock. Easily climb up to the monster roof, then traverse the roof right for 40 feet of fun climbing. A set of chain anchors ends this pitch immediately after finishing the roof, or link with the second pitch. (5.7)
P2) Squeeze. Good rock, but this is an unpleasant squeeze chimney. Grunt up this passing 3 old bolts on the right face. The crack can be somewhat protected with a #4 camalot. Of the 3 bolts, the first looks like a nail with a wingnut attached, the second has a hanger, and the 3rd is bashed into the rock (and completely unusable). The first can be used if slung with a small stopper. This pitch ends at a nice ledge with a 3 bolt anchor, or can be combined with pitch 1. (5.7)
P3) Climb up the variable sized dihedral through deteriorating rock for 100 feet to another ledge with a 2 bolt, 1 piton anchor. (5.7)
P4) Climb up a rotten crack, which quickly reaches a squeeze chimney. Another bad bolt on the left face, then grunt upwards. Clip another odd bolt on the right face, then traverse slightly left to a sealed up crack (possibly protectable at the start by very small gear). Continue up this unprotectable bad rock to a 2 bolt anchor. (5.6)
P5, P6) Rock gets even worse. I chose to rap the route from here. If not, this next pitch goes up a steep unprotectable bush and dirt filled choss groove to the second big roof. The roof looks easy, but unpleasant to reach. Another pitch apparently climbs through a rotten corner to the top.
Descent) It is possible to rap to the ground from the top of P4 using only one 60m rope.
Protection Standard Rack. Definitely bring a #4 camalot!!! It seemed like 2 would be nice on most pitches. I placed at least one on every pitch.
BETA PHOTO: Ellsworth-McQuarrie route in yellow, Arm and Hamme...
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Early morning start
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Rick Schroder hard at work on a combined pitch 1 a...
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Hoskins leading pitch 2. Squeeze chimney that tig...
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Hoskins Leading pitch 4. About 15 ft below the of...
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Me starting the lead on pitch 3. Beautiful and co...
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Eric on pitch 1
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Eric on pitch 1
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| Comments on Ellsworth-McQuarrie Route |
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By Louis Arevalo
May 16, 2004
| The remainder of the route gets better after bushwacking up to the second roof. This pitch is definately spooky, but can be protected, just clean the gravel out of the crack. There is a nice belay stance past the roof with a bolt to incorporate. The pitch following is a cool dihedral that is fairly clean, once it gets steep again 5.6/5.7. Different options exist here and most are mellow to the top of the tower 5.6. Watch your step, as the lower angle slabs are covered with gravel. To rap the line you have to stop after the second roof otherwise prepare for a terrible walk off to the east. |
By philfell
From: Olympic Valley, CA
May 25, 2005
| I climbed this to Arm and Hammer last fall. You really should combine pitch one and two together (need a 60 meter rope). Also someone replaced on of the junk bolts in the squeeze chimney, if I remember right there is a new on where the old stud with a wingnut used to be, then you can clip the old rusted 1/4er just above. The replacement of the bolt makes you feel much better going into the layback section. |
By Nathan Fisher
May 19, 2006
rating: 5.7
| I know it is kind of oxymoronic, but I felt the squeeze was rather pleasant. I have definitely done less-likable squeezes, but this one was rather straightforward. First pitch magnificent. |
By tenesmus
Jun 19, 2007
| Tony, Can I have that weird oval-ish hanger from the first pitch? Clipping that was one of the highlights of the climb. |
By Tyler King
From: Salt Lake, UT
Jun 26, 2008
rating: 5.7
| Great Route. Pitches 1-4 are classic, with excellent granite! We had trouble getting to the "top." My climbing partner climbed pitches 6 and 7 up through the trough passing 2 belay stations (webbing around a bush) And as we were out of water, exhausted, and low on time he said there was nothing to see and the climbing sucked. so we rapped down the route. I was under the impression that you could walk off this route (i.e. reach the top) Does it sound like we got to the "top"??? |
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